The Middle Ear Risk Index (MERI) can help to determine the severity of middle ear disease and to predict the prognosis after middle ear surgery.
Parameters:
(1) otorrhea
(2) perforation
(3) cholesteatoma
(4) ossicle status
(5) smoker
(6) previous surgery
Parameter
Finding
Points
otorrhea
dry
0
occasionally wet
1
persistently wet
2
wet and/or cleft palate
3
perforation
no
0
yes
1
cholesteatoma
no
0
yes
2
ossicle status
M+ I+ S+
0
M+ S+
1
M+ S-
2
M- S+
3
M- S-
4
ossicle head fixation
2
stapes fixation
3
smoker
no
0
yes
2
previous surgery
no
0
staged
1
revision
2
where:
• Scoring of the ossicular status is a bit confusing. However, to get the expected maximum score then the above scoring is required.
• Kumar et al substituted smoker with middle ear granulation or effusion and scored some items differently. Other modifications exist, with the maximum score ranging from 12 to 16.
total score =
= SUM(points for all of the parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 14
Score
Disease Severity
0
none
1 to 3
mild
4 to 6
moderate
>= 7
severe
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
